Election 2013: Vernon Candidates for Mayor

Here are the biographies for Vernon's Mayoral candidates:

Slot 1A

Republican

Slot 1A

Daniel Champagne

30 Lawler Rd.

Work Experience:

Vernon Police Department 1990 – 2012

-       D.A.R.E. Officer  1995 – 2004

-       Public Information Officer 2002-2012

-       Sergeant 2011 – 2012

Awards

-  9/2001 Distinguished Service Award

-  2/2004  Distinguished Service Award

- 2/2004 Meritorious Service Award

-  3/2005 Distinguished Service Unit Citation

-  3/2005  Meritorious Service Award

-  3/2008   Distinguished Service Unit Citation (2 awards)

-  3/2010   Distinguished Service Award

-  Numerous letters of commendations

Connecticut Army National Guard   1987-1992

Rockville General Hospital 1985 - 1990

Education:

2009 Masters in Public Administration from University of  Connecticut.

1994  Bachelors Degree in Sociology from Eastern Connecticut State University.

1990  Associates degree in Criminal Justice from Manchester Community College.

1988  High School Diploma Rockville High School.

Other:

- 2005 –20111  Vernon Town Council

- 1994 –2012 Youth leader Ellington Baptist Church

- 1996 – 2011 Member Vernon Drug Alcohol Council

- 1997-2011 Member of Vernon Youth Services Advisory Council

- 1993  Big Brother volunteer

"The biggest issue in Town for the next term is economic growth and watching the developments at the hospital.  By expanding the tax base everyone in Vernon benefits. Lower taxes, and at the same time providing more money to pay for town services, i.e. schools, public safety and roads.  While bringing more business into town we also have to watch out for the biggest employer in town, the hospital.   Our current administration has successfully sought out and attracted businesses to come to Vernon and I will continue to do this."

Experience

• The Elm Press, Account Manager for Healthcare

• MBA, University of Hartford

• BS, Cum Laude with Distinction, University of Connecticut

• Member, Vernon Town Council

• Member Union Negotiating Committee

• Member, Ordinance Review Committee

• Participation Chair, July in the Sky Downtown, Past 3 years

•  Participation Chair, National Night Out, Past 4 years

• Participation Chair, Rockville Fest/Car Show, Past 4 years

•  Co-Chair, Vernon Winter Fest, 2011

• Member, Rockville Community Alliance                                                         

• Chair, Skate Park Committee

• Member, Miss Greater Rockville Scholarship Committee

• Member, Dickens Day Committee

• Past Chair, Vernon Democratic Town Committee

• Past Chair, Vernon Water Pollution Control Authority

• Past Chair, Community First Committee

• Past Chair, Vernon Recycling Committee                                             

• Past Member Indian Valley YMCA Board of Directors

• Past Member, Boy Scouts of American, Troop 86 Committee

• Parishioner, St. Bernard Church

Married:  Pamela DiDio

Children: Sam and wife Kelly, Grandchildren: Juliana and Andrew

                Katie, Ansonia, CT

                Eric, Vernon, CT

"I believe that the most important issue for Vernon is actually two-fold. First our school system has deteriorated from Blue Ribbon schools to being among the bottom thirty in the state. Secondly, our town  & education budgets are being effected by the cost of supporting magnet schools and the departure of tax paying families. 

We must strengthen our schools not only for the education of our children and to reduce the cost of magnet schools (by giving students and parents solid reasons to stay in town) but to also attract more families (and keep families) in town. Demand for housing raises property values and attracts businesses.  These businesses pay taxes and provide jobs for our residents.

To strengthen our schools the Board of Education/Professional Staff should take the following steps:

1) Continue to closely evaluate the implementation of the Common Core Standards. We must concentrate on ACTUAL learning, creative thinking and reasoning especially in math, reading and science.

2) Reduce/Contain special education/magnet costs by proving the value of “in town” education.

3) Increase Parental Involvement

4) A Technology Plan must be reviewed and implemented.

5) Fund the Capital Non-Recurring Account. Putting off needed repairs and replacements to keep cost low in the short run will only lead to much larger costs and interest expense if we need to bond these projects.

We, as a community, must recognize the inter-connectivity of not only the school system, but of all other areas as well. By recognizing this, we can take positive steps now that will provide multiple benefits in the future. "